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Accused Arsonist Now Faces Homicide Charge

Accused Arsonist Now Faces Homicide Charge - Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 4:52PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, Feb 20, 2008 @04:52pm EST
MARSHALLS CREEK, MONROE COUNTY- A man from Bangor learned he will face more charges than originally thought today. Just over a week ago police accused James Miller of setting a fire at a home in the Poconos. The man who lived in that home died a few days later so now Miller faces homicide charges.

James Miller refused to talk to reporters outside of a Marshalls Creek court room Wednesday - but he did talk to police - and officers say he told them he set fire to Jack Bate's house in Marshalls Creek just over a week ago. Four days after the fire, Bates died from his injuries. He was 81 years old.

His friend John Hoback said, Jack touched an awful lot of lives in this community."

Bates was well known in Monroe County. He was once in charge of the Chamber of Commerce. As he grew older, he needed help and hired caretakers. Miller was one of them. One day while he was supposed to be helping Bates, police say Miller felt depressed and upset so he lit a towel on fire and threw that towel into a closet.

Miller told officers he got Bates out of the house before it was too late. Court papers say Miller told police that Bates ran back into he burning building to get something. But neighbors say they can't believe their friend would run anywhere, his wheelchair still sits outside.

"That's impossible.. He couldn't walk," said Tom Bonser. "Let's put it this way, Jack had tremendous difficulty getting around," said Hoback.

Prosecutors said whether or not Miller helped Bates out of the fire, he could still be convicted of murder. First Assistant District Attorney Michael Mancuso explained, "Once you set the fire the question becomes is it foreseeable someone may try to get their personal belongings out of the house and may not make it?"

Miller is now in prison. Because of the serious nature of the charges he is not allowed to post bail.
 


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